Living in Peru : your everyday companion

By Mike McGhee

I thoroughly enjoy the people, lifestyle, food, history and everything Peru has offered me in the past. The people are very nice and they always try to help you and make you feel comfortable. As a gringo with limited Spanish skills, I am always pleased with how willing people are to try to understand you and help you accomplish your needs. I look forward to more experiences and adventures and I enjoy living in Peru.

One of the things I learned very early in my visits to Peru was that the meaning of time has a different definition than in the USA. In this essay time will be defined as when you agree to meet someone.

My experience in Peru has been that whenever you agree to meet someone at a specific time there usually is a grace period of up to two hours, which is always subject to the mode of transportation and traffic. In Lima, the traffic may be challenging (ask anyone…or everyone). Each person and situation will be different. When my friend met his wife for the first time, he waited over two hours for her to arrive and he still says he would wait two days in the rain for her.

Most people in the U.S. will arrive at a destination at or before the agreed upon time to meet someone else. If they are tardy it will only be a few minutes. When they are consistently late a common practice is to provide them with an arrival time earlier than when you actually wish to meet. It is the amount of time they are usually late. In the U.S., some people will be annoyed when someone arrives late. In Peru, it is a part of the relaxed lifestyle.

There are exceptions, of course. Business meetings, education, and work are when individuals arrive “on time” for such purpose. Getting together for ice cream is another instance when people will be on time in Peru. Remember, it is a matter of priorities.

However, if it is for a walk at the beach, a meal or drinks, going to karaoke or a discoteca for dancing, or many other functions, don’t expect anyone to be where you agreed at the time for your gathering. The “grace” period will apply.

Another thing I learned in my visits to Peru was not to consider this to be an insult and a waste of time. You may even surprise yourself and become better acquainted with patience, which you thought you didn’t have or lost a long time ago.

Of course, with people whom you have just become acquainted, provide them with the actual time that everyone should arrive. It is up to them to define the meaning of “time” for their future invitations.

tags : Peruvian time late hour "grace" period

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10 Comments

# Timely says :
11 March, 2010 [ 05:12 ]

Mike: yes, it can be frustrating for people from the US and Europe....but "when in Rome, do as the Romans".... It's in the nature of the Peruvian to be easy-going, but they more than make up for it!

# Julian says :
12 March, 2010 [ 08:42 ]

"Peruvian time" is a shame. It is an insult.

# Stephen Campbell says :
16 March, 2010 [ 09:13 ]

For those of us who have lived for muchos años in Peru the time laxity which many foreigners have a hard time with has vastly improved. There is actually three time classifications here. Hora Inglesa (English Time) means to be on time with no leeway. Hora Peruana (Peruvian Time) has ample leeway for the "improvistos" or "complicaciones que se presentant" de la vida. Yet there is a third time classification which gained much notoriety during President Toledo's time in office. It is known as "Hora Cabana" ( the town that Toledo is from I am told) and there the rhyme goes..."llegan a la hora que le da la gana" (we arrive when we damn well please).  

Life is about choices. You either go with the flow or you buck the current. Both have payoffs. I prefer to go with the flow it takes far less effort.

# says :
18 March, 2010 [ 07:30 ]

This is so true!  After living in Peru for only a month, I am learning to adapt to this part of the culture!  I love how laid back they are, and think this is a wonderful way to learn patience.  I try to just enjoy the fellowship of those who are actually on time, while waiting for the rest to come!!  This is wonderful country, and I love it!!

# Erika says :
19 May, 2010 [ 07:29 ]

In response to Julian, really dude? there are DIFFERENT cultures, you cannot insult a culture just cuz its not the same as yours, and you definitely cannot be insulted for the same reason. I am peruvian, and I came to USA 9 yrs ago, like Timely says "when in Rome..." I had to learn to be on time here, but in defense of my country I have to say, its not that we are always late, its that we are not in a hurry, simple as that. Maybe for you would be an insult, only cuz it doesnt agree with your beliefs, I would suggest never to leave your country because you are gonna get offended a lot.

# Alexia says :
23 June, 2010 [ 06:14 ]

I was born in Peru, I live in Peru, and I so hate people showing up late, people keeping you waiting as if your time didn't matter. I'm sorry but  I'm still not used to that, it pisses me off and and I will never get used to it.

# Alexia says :
23 June, 2010 [ 06:14 ]

I was born in Peru, I live in Peru, and I so hate people showing up late, people keeping you waiting as if your time didn't matter. I'm sorry but  I'm still not used to that, it pisses me off and and I will never get used to it.

# Anyela says :
24 June, 2010 [ 05:13 ]

Well said Erica " its is not like we are always late, its that we are not in a hurry" hahaha, this is soo true!
Easy... relax... go with the flow...
Besides it is like Mike said: It is not always like that , business, education and other important things doesn't apply, it is actually mainly for social events..
If you know that people will be late and you dont want to wait for them: show up late too. (the usual is 1 hour outside home, up to 2 hours if it is in somebody's home)
If you want them to be on time, just pur a serious face and say: "english time, please" and you will see that they will be 'almost" on time!

# Ben Leahy says :
8 September, 2010 [ 07:03 ]

Ohh man did you hit this one right on the head.  Very true. 

# alex jesus camacho nuñez says :
21 June, 2011 [ 10:08 ]

yeah! it!S true peruvian time is terrible! people believe that to arribe late is part of the peruvian culture! most people arrive late but not all of them! to arrive late is terrible and awful! people had terrible behaviors and not values! it!s not the culture!!

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